VXS payload module and method

ABSTRACT

A multi-service platform system ( 100 ) having a VXS backplane ( 104 ) includes a VXS payload module ( 102 ) coupled to the VXS backplane, and a switched fabric enabled mezzanine card ( 112 ) coupled to the VXS payload module, wherein the switched fabric enabled mezzanine card is coupled to directly communicate with the VXS backplane.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Related subject matter is disclosed in U.S. patent application entitled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SWITCHING ON A VXS PAYLOAD MODULE” havingapplication Ser. No. 10/840,076 and filed on the same date herewith andassigned to the same assignee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Expansion cards can be added to computer systems to lend additionalfunctionality or augment capabilities. Current expansion cards interfaceand communicate with computer systems using primarily a multi-dropparallel bus network architecture, such as Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) or VERSAmodule Eurocard (VMEbus). A multi-dropparallel bus architecture has the disadvantage that it can only be usedto support one instantaneous communication between modules in a computersystem or network. However, some applications have requirements forsimultaneous high bandwidth transfers between modules that cannot behandled by the multi-drop parallel bus architecture.

In the prior art, expansion cards, particularly mezzanine cards, areplaced on payload modules mounted in chassis-type computer systems, suchas VMEbus type systems known in the art. The prior art method ofinterfacing the expansion cards requires the payload module to managethe mezzanine cards through use of a processor and bus onboard thepayload module. This adds complexity and expense when adding additionalfunctionality to the chassis-type computer system. Therefore, it isdesirable to provide expansion cards in a chassis-type environment thatsupport high-speed data transfers, while minimizing the complexity andexpense of controlling the expansion cards from the payload module.

Accordingly, there is a significant need for an apparatus and methodthat overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art outlined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawing:

FIG. 1 depicts a multi-service platform system according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a multi-service platform system according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the drawing have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggeratedrelative to each other. Further, where considered appropriate, referencenumerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate correspondingelements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of theinvention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but otherembodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical andother changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present inventionis defined only by the appended claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it isunderstood that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures andtechniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure theinvention.

For clarity of explanation, the embodiments of the present invention arepresented, in part, as comprising individual functional blocks. Thefunctions represented by these blocks may be provided through the use ofeither shared or dedicated hardware, including, but not limited to,hardware capable of executing software. The present invention is notlimited to implementation by any particular set of elements, and thedescription herein is merely representational of one embodiment.

FIG. 1 depicts a multi-service platform system 100 according to oneembodiment of the invention. A multi-service platform system 100 caninclude one or more computer chassis, with software and any number ofslots for inserting modules. Modules can add functionality tomulti-service platform system 100 through the addition of processors,memory, storage devices, and the like. In one embodiment a backplaneconnector is used for connecting modules placed in the slots.

As an example of an embodiment, a multi-service platform system 100 caninclude one or more chassis and modules conforming to the VERSAmoduleEurocard (VMEbus) switched serial standard backplane (VXS) as set forthin VITA 41 promulgated by VMEbus International Trade Association (VITA),P.O. Box 19658, Fountain Hills, Ariz., 85269. VXS includes a packetswitched network, known as a switched fabric 106, on a backplanecoincident with the VMEbus parallel-type bus 108.

In an embodiment, multi-service platform system 100 can be controlled bya platform controller (not shown for clarity), which can include aprocessor for processing algorithms stored in memory. Memory comprisescontrol algorithms, and can include, but is not limited to, randomaccess memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electricallyerasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), and the like. Memory can containstored instructions, tables, data, and the like, to be utilized byprocessor. Platform controller can be contained in one, or distributedamong two or more payload modules with communication among the variousmodules of multi-service platform system 100.

VMEbus network 108 is a parallel multi-drop bus network that is known inthe art. VMEbus network 108 is defined in the ANSI/VITA 1-1994 andANSI/VITA 1.1-1997 standards, promulgated by the VMEbus InternationalTrade Association (VITA), P.O. Box 19658, Fountain Hills, Ariz., 85269(where ANSI stands for American National Standards Institute). In anembodiment of the invention, VMEbus network 108 can include VMEbus basedprotocols such as Single Cycle Transfer protocol (SCT), Block Transferprotocol (BLT), Multiplexed Block Transfer protocol (MBLT), Two EdgeVMEbus protocol (2 eVME) and Two Edge Source Synchronous Transferprotocol (2eSST). VMEbus network 108 is not limited to the use of theseVMEbus based protocols and other VMEbus based protocols are within thescope of the invention.

Switched fabric 106 can use switch module 110 as a central switching hubwith any number of VXS payload modules 102, 103, 105 coupled to switchmodule 110. Switched fabric 106 can be based on a point-to-point,switched input/output (I/O) fabric, whereby cascaded switch devicesinterconnect end node devices. Switched fabric 106 can include bothmodule-to-module (for example computer systems that support I/O moduleadd-in slots) and chassis-to-chassis environments (for exampleinterconnecting computers, external storage systems, external Local AreaNetwork (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) access devices in adata-center environment). Switched fabric 106 can be implemented byusing one or more of a plurality of switched fabric network standards,for example and without limitation, InfiniBand™, Serial RapidIO™,FibreChannel™, Ethernet™, PCI Express™, Hypertransport™, and the like.Switched fabric 106 is not limited to the use of these switched fabricnetwork standards and the use of any switched fabric network standard iswithin the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the invention, VMEbus network 108 and switchedfabric 106 operate concurrently within multi-service platform system100. In an example of an embodiment, VMEbus network 108 can operate as acontrol plane by synchronizing and organizing activities inmulti-service platform system 100. Switched fabric 106 can operate as adata plane by transferring data between individual VXS payload modules102, 103, 105. In this embodiment, data is transferred faster throughthe higher bandwidth switched fabric 106, while the VMEbus network 108controls and manages the overall system. This has the effect ofincreasing the speed of multi-service platform system 100 that is basedon VMEbus specifications since data transfers that are in excess ofVMEbus network 108 bandwidth can take place using switched fabric 106.

In another embodiment of the invention, VMEbus network 108 can be usedas the data plane and switched fabric 106 can be used as the controlplane. In yet another embodiment of the invention, VMEbus network 108and switched fabric 106 each can operate as both the control plane andthe data plane.

Multi-service platform system 100 can include any number of VXS payloadmodules 102, 103, 105 coupled to VXS backplane 104. VXS payload modules102, 103, 105 can include any number of switched fabric enabledmezzanine cards 112. VXS backplane 104 can include hardware and softwarenecessary to implement a coincident parallel multi-drop bus 108 and aswitched fabric 106.

In an embodiment, VXS payload module 102, 103, 105 can have a VMEbusboard form factor. VMEbus form factor, including mechanical dimensions,electrical specifications, and the like are known in the art and setforth in the ANSI/VITA 1-1994 and ANSI/VITA 1.1-1997 standards.

In an embodiment, VXS payload module 102 can include any number ofexpansion cards, which can be for example, mezzanine cards. An exemplarymezzanine card can be a Common Mezzanine Card (CMC) having a CMC formfactor. CMC form factor, including mechanical dimensions, electricalspecifications, and the like, are known in the art and set forth in theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard P1386.

A particular example of an embodiment is a switched fabric enabledmezzanine card (XMC) 112. XMC's are described in VITA 42 promulgated byVMEbus International Trade Association (VITA), P.O. Box 19658, FountainHills, Ariz., 85269. In an embodiment, switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard 112 can be coupled to VXS payload module 102 and communicativelycouple switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112 with VXS backplane 104and switched fabric 106. VXS payload module 102 can include any numberof switched fabric enabled mezzanine cards 112. In an embodiment, VXSpayload module 102 can include up to two switched fabric enabledmezzanine cards 112, 113.

In an embodiment, switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112 is coupledto directly communicate with VXS backplane and hence switched fabric106. In an embodiment, switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112 can becoupled to directly communicate with switch module 110. Directlycommunicate can mean that although switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard 112 is coupled to VXS payload module 102, VXS payload module 102does not control or manage switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112.In effect, VXS payload module can omit the use of any processors orbuses to control or manage switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112.Switch module 110 controls switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112without any input from VXS payload module 102.

In an embodiment, switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112 is coupleddirectly to VXS backplane 104 and hence switched fabric 106. In thisembodiment, VXS payload module 102 acts as a carrier module for switchedfabric enabled mezzanine card 112, with VXS payload module acting merelyas a connection point for switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112 tophysically interface with switched fabric 106. In this embodiment, VXSpayload module 102 does not have to appear as an active node on switchedfabric. However, in another embodiment, VXS payload module 102 canappear as an active node on either or both of VMEbus network 108 andswitched fabric 106.

In an embodiment, since switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112 iscoupled directly to switched fabric 106 and VXS backplane 104, switchedfabric enabled mezzanine card 112 is coupled to directly communicatewith switch module 110. Hence, in this embodiment, switch module 110 candirectly control switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112. In effect,switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 112 is an independent node 107 onswitched fabric 106 that can operate on switched fabric 106 withoutguidance, management or interference from VXS payload module 102.

In an embodiment, VXS payload module 102 can include switched fabricenabled mezzanine card 112 that only interfaces with switched fabric106. In another embodiment, VXS payload module 103 can include switchedfabric enabled mezzanine card 120 that interfaces and communicates withboth switched fabric 106 and VMEbus network 108. In another embodiment,VXS payload module 105 can include a switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard 122 that communicates only with switched fabric 106, and a VMEbusnetwork mezzanine card 126 that only communicates with VMEbus network108. VXS payload module can include any combination of the aboveembodiments and be within the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment, VXS payload module 102 can include switched fabricenabled mezzanine card connection site 114 for coupling switched fabricenabled mezzanine card 112 to VXS payload module 102. Switched fabricenabled mezzanine card connection site 114 can be include any type ofelectrical connector to interface switched fabric enabled mezzanine card112 to VXS payload module 102. VXS payload module 102 can also includestandard VMEbus connection sites (not shown for clarity), which areknown in the art. In embodiment, switched fabric enabled mezzanine cardconnection site 114 can be independent of VMEbus connection sites, bybeing a separate connector. In another embodiment, switched fabricenabled mezzanine card connection site 114 can be integral with a VMEbusconnection site. The scope of the invention is not limited by theseswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card connection site embodiments, andother embodiments that occur to those skilled in the art are within thescope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the invention, VXS backplane 104 and VXS payloadmodule 102 have a set of interlocking connectors designed to interlockwith each other when VXS payload module 102 is placed in a slot ofmulti-service platform system 100. The mechanical and electricalspecifications for a portion of these interlocking connectors can befound in the ANSI/VITA 1-1994 and ANSI/VITA 1.1-1997 standards citedabove for VMEbus systems. For example, these standards define themechanical envelopes P0, P1 and P2 on VXS payload module, andcorresponding mechanical envelopes J0, J1 and J2 on VXS backplane 104.Connectors in the P0/J0, P1/J1 and P2/J2 mechanical envelopes interlockwhen payload VXS payload module 102 is placed in a slot of multi-serviceplatform system 100.

In an embodiment, connectors in the P1/J1 and P2/J2 mechanical envelopescouple VXS payload module 102 to VMEbus network 108, while switchedfabric connector 116 in the P0/J0 mechanical envelope 118 couples VXSpayload module 102 to switched fabric 106. When VXS payload module 102is placed in a slot of multi-service platform system 100 and coupled toVXS backplane 104 via connectors in the P1/J1 and P2/J2 mechanicalenvelopes, the functionality of VXS payload module 102 is added tomulti-service platform system 100 via VMEbus network 108. For example,any mezzanine cards on VXS payload module capable of communicating withVMEbus network 108 are accessible by other payload modules inmulti-service platform system 100 and visa versa.

In an embodiment, VXS payload module 102 has switched fabric connector116 in the P0 mechanical envelope 118. VXS backplane 104 can includecorresponding switched fabric connector in the J0 mechanical envelope(not shown for clarity), where switched fabric connector 116 andcorresponding switched fabric connector are designed to interface andinterlock when VXS payload module 102 is inserted into multi-serviceplatform system 100. Switched fabric connector 116 and correspondingswitched fabric connector are designed for use in high-speed switchedfabric networks and are compatible with any of a plurality of switchedfabric network standards such as InfiniBand, Serial RapidIO,FibreChannel, Ethernet, PCI Express, Hypertransport, and the like. In anexample of an embodiment of the invention, switched fabric connector 116and corresponding switched fabric connector can be a Tyco MultiGig RTconnector manufactured by the AMP division of Tyco Electronics,Harrisburg, Pa. The invention is not limited to the use of the Tyco RTconnector, and any connector capable of handling data using any of theplurality of switched fabric network standards is encompassed within theinvention.

In an embodiment, switched fabric connector 116 is coupled directly toswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card connection site 114 and enablesswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card 113 to be directly coupled to VXSbackplane 104 and directly communicate with switched fabric 106 thoughswitched fabric connector 116.

FIG. 2 depicts a multi-service platform system 200 according to anotherembodiment of the invention. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, VXSpayload module 202 coupled to VXS backplane 204 can include firstswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card 212 and second switched fabricenabled mezzanine card 213. VXS payload module 202 can also includeswitching element 215 communicatively interposed between first andsecond switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 212, 213 and VXS backplane204. In an embodiment, switching element 215 can act as a router formezzanine cards on VXS payload module 202. Both first switched fabricenabled mezzanine card 212 and second switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard 213 are coupled to directly communicate with switched fabric 206,207 via switching element 215. In other words, first switched fabricenabled mezzanine card 212 and second switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard 213 communicate with switched fabric 206, 207 though switchingelement 215.

In an embodiment, switching element 215 controls whether first switchedfabric enabled mezzanine card 212 and second switched fabric enabledmezzanine card 213 are coupled to VXS backplane 204, and hence switchedfabric 206, 207. In another embodiment, multi-service platform system200 includes first switch fabric 206 and second switch fabric 207. Firstswitch fabric 206 is controlled by first switch module 210 and secondswitch fabric 207 is controlled by second switch module 211. In thisembodiment, switching element 215 controls whether at least one of firstswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card 212 and second switched fabricenabled mezzanine card 213 are coupled to either one of first switchedfabric 206 and second switched fabric 207. For example, switchingelement 215 can couple first switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 212to first switched fabric 206, while coupling second switched fabricenabled mezzanine card 213 to second switched fabric 207. In anotherexample, switching element 215 can couple both first and second switchedfabric enabled mezzanine cards 212, 213 to either first switched fabric206 or second switched fabric 207. In yet another example, switchingelement 215 can couple either first switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard 212 or second switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 213 to eitherfirst switched fabric 206 or second switched fabric 207.

Analogously to the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 1, firstswitch module 210 directly controls either first switched fabric enabledmezzanine card 212 or second switched fabric enabled mezzanine card 213directly coupled to it via switching element 215. Also, first switchedfabric enabled mezzanine card 212 and switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard 213 can operate as independent nodes in either first switch fabric206 or second switch fabric 207.

In an embodiment, VXS payload module 203 can include switched fabricenabled mezzanine card connection site 214 coupled to switching element230 analogous to that described with reference to FIG. 1. Also, VXSpayload module 202 can include switched fabric connector 216 in P0mechanical envelope 218 as described with reference to the embodimentsof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an embodimentof the invention. In step 302, a VXS payload module coupled to VXSbackplane is provided. In step 304, switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard is coupled to VXS payload module. In step 306, switched fabricenabled mezzanine card directly communicates with VXS backplane, switchmodule and switched fabric. In step 308, switched fabric enabledmezzanine card is enabled as an independent node on switched fabric.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to anotherembodiment of the invention. In step 402, a VXS payload node coupled toVXS backplane is provided, where VXS payload module comprises switchingelement. In step 404, switched fabric enabled mezzanine card is coupledto VXS payload module. In step 406, switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard communicates with VXS backplane, switch module and switched fabricvia switching element. In step 408, switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard is enabled as an independent node on switched fabric. In step 410,switching element controls whether switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard is coupled to either one of first switched fabric and secondswitched fabric.

While we have shown and described specific embodiments of the presentinvention, further modifications and improvements will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A multi-service platform system having a VXS backplane, comprising: aVXS payload module coupled to the VXS backplane; and a switched fabricenabled mezzanine card coupled to the VXS payload module, wherein theswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card is coupled to directlycommunicate with the VXS backplane.
 2. The multi-service platform systemof claim 1, further comprising a switch module coupled to the VXSbackplane, wherein the switched fabric enabled mezzanine card is coupledto directly communicate with the switch module.
 3. The multi-serviceplatform system of claim 1, further comprising a switch module coupledto the VXS backplane, wherein the switch module directly controls theswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card.
 4. The multi-service platformsystem of claim 1, wherein the VXS payload module comprises a switchedfabric connector, and wherein the switched fabric enabled mezzanine cardis directly coupled to the VXS backplane through the switched fabricconnector.
 5. The multi-service platform system of claim 4, wherein theswitched fabric connector is in a P0 mechanical envelope on the VXSpayload module.
 6. The multi-service platform system of claim 1, furthercomprising a switch module coupled to the VXS backplane, wherein theswitch module controls a switched fabric and wherein the switched fabricenabled mezzanine card is an independent node on the switched fabric. 7.A VXS payload module, comprising: a switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard connection site; and a switched fabric connector in a P0 mechanicalenvelope, wherein the switched fabric enabled mezzanine card connectionsite is directly coupled to the switched fabric connector, enabling aswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card coupled to the switched fabricenabled mezzanine card site to directly communicate with a VXSbackplane.
 8. The VXS payload module of claim 7, wherein the switchedfabric enabled mezzanine card connection site directly coupled to theswitched fabric connector enables the switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard to directly communicate with a switch module coupled to the VXSbackplane.
 9. The VXS payload module of claim 7, wherein the switchedfabric enabled mezzanine card connection site directly coupled to theswitched fabric connector enables a switch module coupled to the VXSbackplane to directly control the switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard.
 10. The VXS payload module of claim 7, wherein the switched fabricenabled mezzanine card connection site directly coupled to the switchedfabric connector enables the switched fabric enabled mezzanine card asan independent node on a switched fabric running on the VXS backplane.11. A method, comprising: providing a VXS payload module coupled to aVXS backplane; coupling a switched fabric enabled mezzanine card to theVXS payload module; and the switched fabric enabled mezzanine carddirectly communicating with the VXS backplane.
 12. The method of claim11, further comprising the switched fabric enabled mezzanine carddirectly communicating with a switch module coupled to the VXSbackplane.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising a switchmodule coupled to the VXS backplane directly controlling the switchedfabric enabled mezzanine card.
 14. The method of claim 11, whereincoupling the switched fabric enabled mezzanine card to the VXS payloadmodule comprises coupling the switched fabric enabled mezzanine card toa switched fabric enabled mezzanine card connection site on the VXSpayload module.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the VXS payloadmodule comprises a switched fabric connector, and wherein coupling theswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card comprises directly coupling theswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card to the VXS backplane through theswitched fabric enabled mezzanine card site and the switched fabricconnector.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the switched fabricconnector is in a P0 mechanical envelope on the VXS payload module. 17.The method of claim 11, wherein directly communicating with the VXSbackplane comprises enabling the switched fabric enabled mezzanine cardas an independent node on a switched fabric running on the VXSbackplane.
 18. A method, comprising: providing a VXS payload modulecoupled to a VXS backplane; coupling a switched fabric enabled mezzaninecard to the VXS payload module; and enabling the switched fabric enabledmezzanine card as an independent node on a switched fabric running onthe VXS backplane.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein enablingcomprises a switch module coupled to the VXS backplane directlycontrolling the switched fabric enabled mezzanine card.
 20. The methodof claim 18, wherein coupling comprises coupling the switched fabricenabled mezzanine card to a switched fabric enabled mezzanine cardconnection site on the VXS payload module.
 21. The method of claim 20,wherein the VXS payload module comprises a switched fabric connector,and wherein coupling comprises directly coupling the switched fabricenabled mezzanine card to the VXS backplane through the switched fabricenabled mezzanine card site and the switched fabric connector.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the switched fabric connector is in a P0mechanical envelope on the VXS payload module.